Cyperus involucratus

Cyperus involucratus, the Umbrella Sedge, is a vigourous clump-forming perennial with tall slender triangular stems on which perch radiating leaf-like bracts arranged in an elegant and symmetrical spiraling pattern. They are very exotic in appearance and resemble the spokes of an umbrella, giving the plant its common name. The flowers are small and relatively insignificant.

Cyperus involucratus has strong-growing rhizomes which quickly establish a large clump and for that reason its growth is best curtailed at the roots. Providing this is done effectively and its growth monitored and checked when necessary it provides a very attractive and tropical-looking accent to a garden, doing best where the ground is moist. A herbaceous perennial in the British Isles, it is remarkably hardy in most regions and in the south and in urban microclimates it is usually best to just mulch it and leave it to fend for itself through the winter with the cold weather providing a useful seasonal check on its growth. Further north - and in colder winters - a thicker mulch will be needed. Chipped bark is ideal.